JAMES Morrison admits Albion are competing in a ‘‘league within the Premier League’’ but insists the top flight will start to throw up some surprise results as the season progresses.

The midfielder feels that any of the teams between eighth and 20th place can beat each other and that they are all battling in their own mini-league.

Last season a series of shock results dominated early proceedings but this year the top six have all been relatively consistent in winning the games they are expected to.

While Morrison admits the table is shaping up as planned, particularly at the top end, he knows there will be more twists and turns over the coming months.

“Last year it was really tight and everyone was beating each other,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be the same this season from eighth place down to bottom.

“It’s hard to call who’s going to win a lot of the time and if I could put my finger on why that is I might be a manager!

“It baffles me sometimes but I think it’s just the way the league is going, anyone can beat anyone in this league.”

Albion have lost to all five of the teams they have played in the top seven this season but will be looking to buck that trend when they face Newcastle United on Wednesday and Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Last season their success was built on taking points from the top teams, as well as winning the crucial games against those sides struggling near the relegation zone.

Finishing 11th, Albion’s highest-ever Premier League ranking, in the last campaign has increased expectations at The Hawthorns.

That was proved last weekend when the Baggies were booed off the pitch after losing to Wigan despite battering them for large periods.

“We know our home form is going to be crucial,” added Morrison.

“Take last weekend, for example. We know, as players, that the result was not the best but we can’t be too down on ourselves because there is always another massive game around the corner.

“It’s our second season and that syndrome is well known.

“People were booing when we didn’t win against Wigan but they have been in the Premier League for seven seasons now. This is only our second season.

“There is definitely more pressure on us to win that type of game and we need to deal with it.

“We’ve got Manchester City on Boxing Day and there is no pressure on us in that one to go and win so hopefully we can give our fans something to cheer about.”

Morrison has been one of Albion’s stand-out performers this campaign and admits he feels like a senior player now having been at the club for five seasons.

Since joining from Middlesbrough in 2007 his rollercoaster journey has been a bag of mixed emotions.

Apart from the one blot on his CV, whenAlbion were relegated in the 2008/2009 season, it’s been a largely exciting period.

Two promotions and last year’s survival season brought him into his fifth campaign determined to achieve more at the club.

Establishing Albion in the Premier League is the aim now and the team are capable of doing that because of their talented squad.

While Morrison knows not to expect too much, he’s also aware that in Chris Brunt, Graham Dorrans, Youssouf Mulumbu and Jerome Thomas, Albion have a group of midfielders all experienced at the highest level and able to push on.

“I think what West Brom wanted to do when Tony Mowbray was manager was try to build a new team and try to get younger players to come through,” he added.

“That’s what we’ve done and I think other teams are trying to do that now – buy them young and bring them through. We’re lucky enough it’s paid off.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing that we’ve got so many midfielders because if we were struggling with injuries we’d all be moaning that we haven’t got a big squad.

“I think it’s good and it keeps the lads on their toes. You have to keep working hard in training and do the right things because sometimes if you know you’re playing you don’t do them.”